Fan Forum - View Single Post - T.R. Knight ||George O'Malley|| #26: Because we will NEVER forgot our George but we wish TR all the best

ganymede20 · 06-25-2009, 05:46 AM

Cindy, I'm so glad you posted that old pic of PD. I've mentioned in past threads, but it bears repeating, he didn't begin his career as a hunk but with a geeky persona. In Can't Buy Me Love he has to twist a girl's arm to date him because he was a nerd. In the delightful comedy In the Mood he plays a George-like character who inadvertently marries three women at the same time. The character is 17 but woos the older, sexy ladies because he listens to them, respects their opinions, and is kind-hearted. His gentility was such he couldn't break any of their hearts and wed all three. Talk about indecisive. (BTW, this is a true story.)

Since I lived through the 1980s PD was considered the same as TR-the geeky cutie. Kirk Cameron, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, just to name a few were the real "hunks." Even an actor named C. Thomas Howell was more popular. Look him up and see my point. It wasn't until the late 1990s PD was cast as leading men. Where one starts isn't always where one will remain.

Neither Cindy nor I mean it as a slam against any actors we mentioned. But to those who're reading and aren't the biggest fans of TR/ George do have the humility to realize things in Hollywood are cyclical and not everyone "hot" will be in the future. I'd advised against making arguments that go, "He's no.....Robert Pattinson....Chace Crawford.....Zac Efron....etc." when discussing the merits of TR, George, or his career.

Marie, I remember the Mondler controversy. Marta Kauffman defended it so articulately and Courteney Cox reminded people she was dating/ married to David Arquette. Furthermore Kauffman reminded the press who was enthralled with Ross/ Rachel that David Schwimmer wasn't a typical romantic lead either. In fact DS also was deemed a geek early in his career. Perhaps, being a comedy softened any criticism or that Matthew Perry is straight.

Thanks for the update on Erin Nolan's article. It's nice to see a writer who still respects TR/ George and is willing to do a follow-up. Is The Examiner, a Canadian publication, because I noticed he's accorded more courtesy in foreign press. I was pleased when she wanted to include the scene where he visits Callie with movies and a bucket of chicken. At least, she acknowledges his believability as a romantic character even if she may not like Gizzie.

Here's what I've been wanting to say about TR's departure. While there was still much to do with George, there always will be, TR situation was becoming untenable. First the glare of the Hollywood press has put an intense scrutiny on his every move. Unfortunately in today's celebrity culture there's an assumption that every entertainer must live his/her life before the cameras. As a shy, private man considerate of other's feelings this is just incongruent. Second the press actively seeks and invents sensationalism therefore I've sadly noticed he graces the tabloids without doing much. He's certainly no Lindsay Lohan or Brtiney Spears.

In this vein with GA being one of the few shows to have widespread popularity but also have sizable a youth demographic. Therefore it became fodder for the media and often projected its conventional wisdom onto the proceedings. As I've said before the industry is uncomfortable with TR playing straight in a dramatic role. Furthermore his own personality didn't conform to the witty New Yorker with martini in hand but to a beer-drinking, reserved Midwesterner. As a result it assessed George through that prism.

Sadly ABC/ Shonda capitulated. Without their support and not having substantial storylines to remind people of his talent the ugly accusations seemed to be tacitly confirmed. TR does need a break from this hysteria and a chance to prove himself. I was pleased to discover that the relationship between Leo Frank and his wife, Lucille, is a pivotal element of Parade. Thus he has a platform to shine in the medium he most treasures.

Had he stayed with GA it's unclear if he would've received the rehabilitation necessary for him and George or if the media would've accepted it. Note that now that TR and George seem vanquished the claws are retracted. To me it seems proof the goal was to have him removed. Nonetheless he has to rebuild his career and image. Contrary to popular belief simply collecting a sizable paycheck while remaining invisible doesn't do wonders for one's prospects in the industry.

Personally I think TR isn't done with being in front of the camera. He may use Parade as a stepping stone to film and TV. Although I doubt he'll try being a regular on a network series again.

Here's a pic from his GLAAD PSA

From the Love and Pride rally